ArtDayME: Louvre Abu Dhabi received more than 200,000 visitors between June and August 2023, a record peak in summer visitation since the museum’s opening in 2017, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as an internationally renowned cultural hub.

The visitor and community experience remains a key priority for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, given its status as one of the UAE’s main cultural attractions.

The museum witnessed a surge in attendance numbers compared to previous summers, as individuals and families alike engaged with artworks, explored immersive exhibitions, and sought inspiration from the museum’s architecture.

The emirate welcomed 2.4 million hotel guests in the first half of the year, a 34 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s summer offerings

To engage the community over the summer period, Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its latest Children’s Museum exhibition Picturing the Cosmos to the public in July inspired by the human fascination with the cosmos.

The museum hosted an interactive live call from space with Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in August as part of the exhibition’s programming. The exhibition welcomed over 30,000 visitors in just two months.

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s summer offerings also focused on participatory learning and engagement, as young adults took part in the Art Lab, where they collaborated with UAE-based artists in engaging workshops.

The museum welcomed teachers and children for a free exploratory visit ahead of the new school year.

Visitors were able to enjoy a wealth of community activities such as free yoga on International Day of Yoga, which saw yoga enthusiasts gather under the iconic museum’s dome.

“Louvre Abu Dhabi stands as a beacon of cultural diversity and artistic expression, and we take immense pride in our role as a global platform for cross-cultural dialogue. As we continue to strive for excellence, we remain dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience, fostering a deeper connection between our guests and the rich tapestry of human creativity,” said Manuel Rabaté, director of Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The museum unveiled its collection of new loans and acquisitions this summer. The collection is on display in the permanent galleries.

These included new acquisitions such as Les Marionnettes by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (France, 1775 – 1778), Femme à la mandoline (Mademoiselle Léonie assise) (France, 1911) by Pablo Picasso, and more.

Visitors were treated to the exceptional loans from Musée du Louvre, Musée national des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou – Musée national d’art moderne, Musée d’Archéologie Nationale – Saint Germain en Laye, Musée des Arts décoratifs, and the National Museum of Archaeology in Valleta, Malta.

Upcoming offerings

Louvre Abu Dhabi has bolstered its position as a destination that visitors can look forward to seeing by organising a diversity of events and exhibitions that target different interests and age groups, cementing its position as the first universal museum in the Arab world.

The museum will host two new exhibitions in the coming months as part of its ongoing 2023/24 cultural season. These include Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, and Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here.

It recently opened Letters of Light to the public, which will run until January 2024. These exhibitions will be complemented by programming and activities.